Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe said he has no intention of returning to active politics, speaking after calling on the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters on Sunday (9).
Samarasinghe, who recently stepped down from the Washington post, visited the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero of the Malwathu Chapter and the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero of the Asgiri Chapter to seek their blessings.
No pressure to resign, he says
He said he had resigned after nearly five years in the post for personal reasons, stressing that there had been no pressure from the government to step down.
Samarasinghe served as a Member of Parliament for 27 years before his diplomatic appointment. He said that having withdrawn from active politics he was not prepared to comment on the current political situation, but remained willing to assist the government if asked to help on international issues.
Claims on tariffs and defence
Setting out what he regarded as the results of his tenure, Samarasinghe said he had worked to strengthen Sri Lanka–US relations, to secure American support for the country’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund, to limit US tariffs on Sri Lankan goods to 10 percent, and to obtain a naval vessel and several helicopters from the United States.
He had earlier described the tariff outcome as good news for exporters when the rate was set.
Prelates praise the record, criticise the service
The Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero said Samarasinghe had made a significant contribution to strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and the United States and to reducing tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports.
The Chief Prelate also expressed concern that some officials in the foreign service had reached a point where questions could be raised over whether they were making any meaningful contribution to the country.
Sources: Ada Derana.
